creative jewish mom

Hello Prague: Huge Crochet Applique Mural

One of the amazing visual treats that we experienced in Prague last year, was in fact a treat within a treat, though that describes just about everything in Prague, what a city! On our visit to Vysrehard, see  my post here, not only were there amazing views and ancient history, but also the biggest yarn bombing installation I've ever seen! Ever seen a crocheted mural, constructed on a base of recycled sweaters? Me neither, so I was very excited to capture this and share it with you. I'm not sure how many years something like this can hold up, especially in a place with cold winters, so if you decide to do something similar, I'd hang it in a way that it can be removed come rain and such. All this wonderful crocheted art is both a sign and an eye catcher at a place called Indigo Kids, which is a kindergarten. You can see the main sign in my post about signs in Prague, and here I've presented you with all the many ways to make pictures with crochet. enjoy!

Crocheted Potato Sack Scrubby With T-Shirt Yarn

I love using those mesh potato sacks to make kitchen and bath scrubbies, and since I have some very thin t-shirt yarn on hand, I decided to give it a try. I usually use mercerized cotton for this project, but I love the chunkier edge that one gets with t-shirt yarn. And just saying, one could use homemade t-shirt yarn, or commercial t-shirt yarn, whichever you have on hand!  These photos are so pink as I ran to take them at sunset, and can't quite figure out how to correct for that and need to post somethiing, so in the mean time, enjoy the pink glow! Want to make some kitchen scrubbies from potato sacks? Lets do it!

Rope Granny Squares Using Brightly Colored Clothesline

I love crocheting, and especially using the crochet technique to crochet with recycled materials and non-traditional materials. Recently I spotted this bright clothesline at the dollar store, and just had to buy some to see what would happen if I tried to crochet with it. It turns out to be a bit difficult to crochet with synthetic rope as it has no give and is on the slippery side, but I managed to use up my purchase by making these bright orange granny squares.

Now the question is, how shall I use them? They are waterproof, so could be used to make a garden or patio garland, or maybe something decorative for my son's room. Hmmmmm, they are too thick to use as coasters, but joined together they could make a mat of some sort. Maybe a trivet to put under a plant......? Any ideas?

Crocheted T-Shirt Yarn Flower Medallion Stool Cover

One of my very favorite things to crochet is a stool cover, and here are my two new favorites.........in bright colors to match my all new Moroccan turquoise couches, really! And the fun thing about these crocheted stool covers is that they are crocheted using industrial t-shirt yarn, so each one only takes around 2 hours or even less, especially once you get the hang of it. So if you don't own any round stools, run to get some, because, take my word for it, this crochet project is a must!

Crocheted Kitchen And Bath Scrubbies Using Recycled Potato Sacks!

Crocheting with recycled materials is something that I find oh so satisfying, and so you can well imagine that these crocheted kitchen and bath scrubbies made using recycled mesh potato sacks are one of my favorite little projects! With a bag full of potato sacks waiting to be used and a long bus ride to a friend's wedding at hand, this became a fun take-along crochet project, yippee! These scrubbies are great to have on hand, whether for using in the kitchen (I use these as dishwashing sponges on shabbat) or in the bathroom, and you can make them using little scraps of left over yarn. What is not to love? And do check out my previous post, picot trimmed crocheted bath scrubbies using potato sacks as well, if you are looking for something a little less basic for gift giving.

One little disclaimer: that green kitchen scrubbie was actually made using a bag that held fresh almonds, check out my post from years ago here to see that bag in action, and of course similar mesh bags are used to hold other kinds of produce, so upcycle those too!

Ready to get started? Let's do it!

DIY T-Shirt And Sheet Yarn Is A Spring Cleaning Tradition!

Yes, dear readers, when you see photos of DIY sheet and t-shirt yarn, you can surely guess that the Pesach house cleaning and organizing has begun! And of course, since I'd rather craft than clean, one of the first things I always do is look for old sheets that are no longer presentable, and clothing whose condition is too poor to pass along to those in need. (We happen to have many neighbors with large families who always appreciate out hand me downs, so I only cut up really ragged t-shirts and night gowns and such.)

Lucky for me, one of the things that was begging to be made into sheet yarn was a comforter cover, the optimal thing to use as from the giant tupe that results cutting off the two ends, one can make one continual piece quite easitly. And that green yarn? That is from my daugher's old nightgown, yippee!

A Quick Crocheted Spring Basket

Spring is here which means it is time to get started with the Spring/Pesach organizing and cleaning......but first of course as I was recovering from a very festive Purim I spied a cute little basket with holes in it, that could be much more useful if one could not see what is inside, for me the hoarder that is! So I present to you a quick crocheted spring basket using an existing plastic basket with holes, an idea that can be used on many types of plastic baskets!

And yes, to make this project "quick" one does need the proper supplies, namely yarn and hook sizes that are large, so keep on reading for those oh so important tips, since right about now time is of the essence.......well at least on my end!

Crocheted T-Shirt Yarn Coasters, A Rustic Gift That Is Perfect Right Now!

One of the great things about deciding to clean out your studio is that you finds all kinds of odds and ends that simply must get used, and thus I present to you these rustic crocheted t-shirt yarn coasters, that are quick to make, and the perfect gift for those who appreciate an artful casual aesthetic. A great beach house or cabin gift too.....don't you think? So gather up some of those worn t-shirts and lets get started! Oh and by the way, little projects like these are the kind that i often make in the car on the way to the gathering, give it a try!

Crocheted Rustic Fruit Basket To Make From Old T-Shirts

What can I tell you? I just adore this little crocheted basket that I made using yarn from some of my boy's old t-shirts and striped polo style shirts. And in my humble opiinion one can never really have too many baskets, and fun rustic ones like this add a really nice seasonal touch, especially for fall. Dont you just love persimmons, I'm already lamenting the day when they'll no longer be in season......but I digress. The yarn that I make from t-shirts is never as thin as the commercial t-shirt yarn, which means that you can actually make a much sturdier basket with your cast offs!

Like some more information on how to make some yourself? Keep on reading.......

Crocheted Vase Using T-Shirt Yarn

A quick crocheted vase using some scraps of t-shirt yarn (to make it super quick!) and either a glass or plastic bottle with a wide mouth is the perfect summer project! Fill your crocheted vase with cuttings from plants, like heart shaped philodendron and pathos that can grow in water, or gather some wild flowers and enjoy. The rustic feeling of the large stitch makes it perfect for use indoors and out, not to mention that this project is a great stash buster, so go ahead and use up all those odds and ends! Come winter a crocheted vase like this is pastel colors looks great filled with branches, but if you feel like packing it away until next year, simply slip the sleeve off the bottle and store flat. And while you are at it, why not make a bunch to use when gifting a bouquet of flowers during the year, now that is a great gift!